The Winneba Odebikese Poultry Farmers Association in Ghana has called for an indefinite ban on poultry imports, which they say would help strengthen measures to prevent bird flu and encourage Ghanaians to purchase locally produced poultry meat and eggs.
Mr John Bailey Kittoe, Chairman of the Association, said the bird flu scare had had a shattering effect on the domestic poultry industry.
Commenting on the issue, Deputy Minister of Health Mr Samuel Kofi Owusu-Agyei said the government was troubled by the damage to poultry farmers and the industry in general that has been caused by the avian influenza scare. He said that the government is doing all it can to protect and develop the industry.
Nana Atto Arthur, the Central Regional Minister, and the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Chief Executive, appealed to local residents to eat locally produced poultry products.